The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training & Instrumentation (PEO STRI) is conducting market research to provide individual and collective virtual training at the Battalion and below level for Brigade Combat Teams, to support the future needs of the Army. Sources are sought that leverage relevant experience in analyzing tasks to inform a set of requirements and identify emerging technologies and opportunities for a new training solution.

This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your response to this notice is strictly voluntary and will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this notice or the Government use of such information.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The U.S. Army PEO STRI is seeking innovative solutions to provide scalable individual/collective training for the tasks listed below at a medium to high level of fidelity for the Company Team mission set of the Armor Brigade Combat Team (ABCT), Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT), and the Infantry Battalion Combat Team (IBCT) as defined in FM 3-90.5, FM 3-90.1, FM 3-20.971, FM 3-21.10, and FM 3-21.11.The solution must be interoperable with ABCT capability of the Close Combat Tactical Trainer (CCTT). The VBCT solution must be compatible and interoperable with the Synthetic Environment (SE-Core) terrain databases, the Live, Virtual Constructive – Integrating Architecture (LVC-IA), Games for Training (GFT), Stryker Embedded Training System (ETS), OneSAF, and stimulate/be stimulated by tactical/mission command systems. The goal is for a VBCT training solution with low overhead, minimized footprint, reconfigurable, approximate the conditions of the operational environment virtually, and provide distributive training over Army networks.

VBCT will be the future immersive collective trainer for all Brigade Combat Team (BCT) formationsArmor, Stryker, Infantry for SBCT and IBCT.The capability will focus on Battalion level virtual immersive capabilities that can be scaled up to BCT, or down to Company or Platoon, and provide all BCT enablers with a training and mission rehearsal solution on geo-specific terrain.The collective tasks include mounted and dismounted operations as well as transitioning between these two states.

ACQUISITION APPROACH:

This PDRR effort with scope as outlined above to support pre-Milestone B planning, definition, and risk reduction will be fulfilled via contract award in FY15.The scope of this PDRR effort is two years at a total cost not to exceed (NTE) $4.7M.

In addition, the Government anticipates a developmental program with an Engineering, Manufacturing, Development phase executed through a competition following a Materiel Development Decision and Milestone B in FY17.A Low-Rate Initial Production decision is intended no earlier than FY20.

RESPONSE REQUESTED:

Response is limited to 20 pages or less. The response will be due no later than 4:00 PM EST on 29 August 2014 to the below points of contact.Early submissions are encouraged.

Provide a statement indicating if your firm is a large or small business under the North America Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 541330 with a size standard of $38.5 M. Small businesses must comply with FAR 52.219-14 – Limitation of Subcontracting, regarding contract performance. Please identify how you plan to comply if the acquisition is set aside. If a small business, identify if you are disadvantaged, 8(a), Disabled-Veteran, Veteran, Women-owned Business, or Hub-zone.

The response to this SSN should include:

1) Relevant experience in performing the examinations described below;

2) Based on that experience, describe the approach followed to inform requirements, identify emerging technology solutions, and reduce risk;

4) Describe how their management structure and resources contributed to a successful study, based on relevant experience; and,

5) Describe the company’s capability statement.

The Government anticipates a PDRR RFP that will require performing a study of the following areas:

a. An examination of the training requirements (tasks listed below).Prioritize the tasks and identify approaches to training job tasks. Identify job tasks to be performed, analyze the skills and knowledge needed to perform them, assess the technologies available for training the skills and knowledge, Analysis of Alternatives (AOA), and provide cost and lead-time comparisons for the feasible alternatives.

b. Examination of the potential technologies, and how these technologies can be applied in the training solution, in no particular order: Service-oriented Architectures, virtualization, augmented reality, gaming engines, game-based image generators, haptic, infinite movement in confined space, intuitive systems, cognitive stressors, embedded training, simulation, classroom training, and interfacing to live training (transition to live from virtual and virtual to live.)

c. A set of high level systems requirements, trade-off analysis, and costs estimates to assist in the preparation of Capability Development Documents and Capability Production Documents.

Responders are encouraged not to submit proprietary data. Any proprietary data must be labeled as such.Reviewers of the responses will be Government employees.Responses will not be distributed outside PEO STRI.

Engage targets with an M16 Series Rifle using an AN/PAS-13 Series Thermal Weapon Sight

11.3

M203 Grenade Launcher

11.3.1

Load an M203 Grenade Launcher

11.3.2

Engage targets with an M203 Grenade Launcher

11.3.3

Engage targets with a weapon using a night vision sight AN/PVS-4

12

Engage Targets with Anti-Armor Weapons:

12.1

Engage targets with a Javelin

Similar task lists for Armor, Mechanized, and Infantry organizations noted in program overview, with their stated references are also required.As they complement and parallel much of the Stryker tasks herein, they are not explicitly listed.

NOTICE:Companies responding to this SSN are advised that participation does not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards.The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this request for information

DISCLAIMER:This notice does not constitute an invitation for bids or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not a commitment by the U.S. Government to procure subject products.